Lev. 23:23-32; Nu. 29:1-11: How Christians Should Observe Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur.

1. If We Celebrate the First Four of Jesus’ Holy Days, Why Not the Last Three?

2. Seven Ways Christians Should Celebrate Rosh HaShanah. Nu. 29:1-6; Lev. 23:24-25.

Image credit1

(1) A time for renewal. (the three bulls). The day included three bull sacrifices. The priests sacrificed one bull to mark Rosh Hashanah (Nu. 29:2). The priests sacrificed two additional bulls in connection with the normal new moon festival, which began on that day (Nu. 29:6; 28:11). (Unlike the Western calendar, God’s months begin with the arrival of the new moon). The regular new moon festival with two bulls symbolized renewal. Thus, the three bulls sacrificed on Rosh Hashanah indicated a time of even more intense reflection and renewal. This is the equivalent of our New Year’s resolutions. Yet, here the resolutions all relate to one’s walk with God. With even greater intensity than the normal new moon festivals, Christians are to “be transformed by the renewing of your mind . . .” (Rom. 12:2). They are to also set their “mind[s] on the things above, not the things that are of the earth.” (Col. 3:2). How are Christians to do this? We study the details of the sacrifice of the bull. We then examine how they are fulfilled through Christ today. Christ’s blood fulfilled the role of the actual blood sacrifice (Heb. 9:11-14). We cannot atone for our own sins. Yet, this leaves us with three things that we must do. First, just like the bull that was sacrificed, we must wash our insides (the sins within us) and our legs (the filth of the world) with holy water (Lev. 1:9; Jo. 13:10). This involves reading and washing with the Word to expose our sins (Eph. 5:26). Second, we must confess our sins (1 Jo. 1:9). Third, we must let Christ be our strength (our bull) by being humble and without pride (Phil. 4:11-13).

(2) A time for forgiveness and preparation. (the two rams). Rosh Hashanah also included two ram sacrifices. The priests sacrificed one ram to mark this day (Nu. 29:2). The priests also sacrificed one as part of the regular new moon festival (Nu. 29:6; 28:11). The two rams had separate meanings. The first ram was symbolic of God’s provision of a substitute offering for our sins. Abraham showed faith that God would provide one so that he would not need to kill Isaac (Gen. 22:1-19). Later, the ram became a trespass offering to substitute payment to God for our sins (Lev. 8:18; 5:15). Jesus then became our “trespass offering” to God to pay for our sins against Him (Is. 53:10-11; 1 Jo. 2:2). In the context of the first ram, we have three things that we must do on God’s new year to be renewed. First, to be forgiven, we must seek God’s forgiveness (1 Jo. 1:9). Second, we must pay restitution to restore any victim of our prior wrongs (Lev. 5:15). Finally, to be forgiven and renewed, we must forgive others for their wrongs against us (Lk. 6:37; Matt. 6:14; Mk. 11:25).

(3) A time to submit and pray. (the 16 Lambs). Rosh Hashanah included a staggering 16 lamb sacrifices; seven lambs for this day (Nu. 29:2), plus seven offered as part of the regular new moon festival (Nu. 29:6; 28:11), plus two as part of the required daily sacrifices (Nu. 28:3). Christ was the Passover lamb (Isa. 53:7; Jo. 1:29; 1 Pet. 1:18-19). Just as He was led submissively like the lamb to the slaughter for us, we must submit to him (Rom. 12:1). Just as the lamb’s blood of Jesus created a “soothing aroma” before God, our prayers should create a soothing aroma before God (Ps. 141:2; Rev. 5:8; 8:3). The 16 lambs therefore correspond to multiple prayers on our part on this day. If you are to make this day a day for renewal and redirection, extensive prayer is required throughout the day.

(4) A time for dedication and rest. (the Grain Offering). Rosh Hashanah included a grain offering (Nu. 29:3). The grain symbolized a person dedicating the best of his or her labors. The grain offering was given out of thanks for being freed of sin (Lev. 2:1-16; Dt. 29:8-11). To be renewed, we are to offer ourselves as a “living sacrifice” (Ro. 12:1; 1 Cor. 6:19-20). On Rosh Hashanah, the people were also to rest from “laborious work” (Nu. 29:1; Lev. 23:24-25). We are not obligated to do this (Col. 2:16). Yet, rest is a time for reflection and renewal (Heb. 4:9-10). It is also a chance for God to bless us (Is. 58:13-14).

(5) A time for purification. (the Oil). The grain offering had to be mixed with oil (Nu. 29:3). The offerings were also thrown into God’s fire (Lev. 23:24-25). Oil mixed with the grain symbolized the Holy Spirit leading a person’s life offering (1 Sam. 16:13). The fire symbolized the purification and judgment of the Spirit. God “shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.” (Mal. 3:3). The Holy Spirit purges sin from us through fire and tribulation (1 Cor. 3:13-15; 1 Pet. 1:7). Our will needs to be crushed before the Holy Spirit can come upon us (2 Cor. 4:8). Letting the Spirit lead us is a vital part of our renewal.

(6) A time to break from the sins of the past. (the Two Goats). Rosh Hashanah included two goat sacrifices; one goat for this day (Nu. 29:5), plus one offered as part of the regular new moon festival (Nu. 29:6; 28:15). The two goats were a sin offering to cast off a person’s sins (Lev. 16:13). To cast off sins, it is critical to both repent of them and disavow them in your life. This connects to the broader season of Tesuvah, which includes Rosh Hashanah. Tesuvah means to “return or repent.” Tesuvah begins on the first day of the month of Elul. Thirty days into this season, Rosh HaShanah begins. On the fortieth day, Yom Kippur, the day of atonement begins. Each day during this festival, the people are to repent and return to God. Repenting of sins and promising to cast them off in a way that we never willingly return to them, like someone trying to quit an addiction, is a vital part of spiritual renewal.

(7) A time to restore communion with Christ. (the Drink Offering). Finally, Rosh Hashanah included a drink offering (Nu. 29:6). The drink offering celebrates our communion with Christ (Mk. 14:24; Jo. 6:53). Like Paul, our lives should also be a “drink offering” filled with joy (Phil. 2:17). The joy of Christ should be light for others (Matt. 5:14-16), shining brightly like the full moon. Your joyful witness is the confirmation of your renewal.

3. Seven Ways Christians Should Observe Yom Kippur. Nu. 29:7-11; Lev. 23:26-32.

Image credit2

(1) Before we can boldly petition for others before God, we must repent on our sins. (the Bull). Before the High Priest could pray for others, the High Priest sacrificed a bull (Lev. 16:3; Nu. 29:8). The bull atoned for three types of sins. First, it covered the High Priest’s sins (Lev. 16:11). Second, it covered the sins of his “household” (Lev. 16:11). Third, it covered any sins against others (Lev. 4:1-5, 13). Yet, to the Jews, the single bull sacrifice presented a mystery. The New Moon Festivals involved two bull sacrifices, and Rosh HaShanah involved three (Nu. 29:2, 6; 28:11). Why would the holiest day of the year involve only one? The Jews did not know because God appeared only as “a cloud” above the mercy seat where the High Priest sprinkled the bull’s blood (Lev. 16:2, 14). The High Priest only knew the “shadow” of Christ (Col. 2:16-17). Through Christ, we now can see God and the different purses of the bulls as one sees through clear glass (2 Cor. 3:18) (KJV). With all of the bull sacrifices, the blood symbolized Christ’s atoning blood. Yet, with the new moon and Rosh HaShanah sacrifices, the bull’s inner parts and legs were washed with water to purify them (Lev. 1:9). This symbolized our purifying of our inner sins and the sins of the world (Jo. 13:10; Eph. 5:26). On Yom Kippur, we recognize that our efforts to cleanse our inner self and wash ourselves from the sins of the world are futile. Only Christ, the one true bull sacrifice, can atone for our sins. Once we understand this, we are left to do two things. First, we must confess our sins to be forgiven (1 Jo. 1:9). Our prayers for ourselves or others may be “hindered” if we have not repented of the sins in our own lives (1 Pet. 3:7). Second, we must repent of the sins of our households. God’s leaders cannot have sin or rebellion in their families (1 Tim. 3:5-6). Job offered sacrifices for his children every morning before he went before God. We must also seek forgiveness for our family sins (Job 1:5). When God forgives their sins, He remembers them no more (Heb. 8:12; 10:17).

(2) Before we can petition for others, we must also seek forgiveness and forgive others. (the Ram). Before the High Priest could pray for others, he also sacrificed a ram (Lev. 16:3; Nu. 29:8). The ram offering was in fact a “trespass” offering for sins against the Lord (Lev. 5:14-19). Just like on Rosh HaShanah, the ram sacrifice on Yom Kippur requires that we do three things before we go before God to pray for others. First, to be forgiven, we must seek His forgiveness (1 Jo. 1:9). Second, we must pay restitution to restore any victim of our prior wrongs (Lev. 5:15). Finally, we must forgive others for their wrongs against us (Lk. 6:37; Matt. 6:14; Mk. 11:25).

(3) Before we go before God, we must also completely submit to His will. (the nine Lambs). Before the High Priest could pray for others, he also sacrificed nine lambs. This included seven to mark Yom Kippur (Nu. 29:8). It also included two more that had to be sacrificed daily (Nu. 28:3). The lamb’s blood of Jesus created a “soothing aroma” before God (Nu. 29:8). Today, our prayers should create a “soothing aroma” before Him (Ps. 141:2; Rev. 5:8; 8:3). Yet, to do this, we must submit to Jesus (Rom. 12:1). We do this because He was led like the lamb to the slaughter for us (Isa. 53:7; Jo. 1:29; 1 Pet. 1:18-19). The nine lambs also symbolize submission in the fullness of the Spirit (Gal. 5:21-22).

(4) Before we go before God, we must also deny and humble ourselves. (the grain offering and fast). A normal grain offering was also required on this day (Nu. 29:9). This was a person’s life offering given out of gratitude. On Yom Kippur, people were also told to “humble their souls” and not to do any work (Lev. 16:29; 23:26-32; Nu. 29:7). Anyone who violated these commandments was to be “cut off” from his or her people (Lev. 23:29). We must also deny ourselves in our life offering as we seek to pray on this day for others (Lk. 9:23). This includes fasting. We know that this practice continued into the early Church. In the book of Acts, Paul admonished certain sailors with him after “the fast,” which was another name for Yom Kippur (Acts 27:9). We are told to follow Paul’s example as he followed Christ (1 Cor. 11:1). If we do so, Yom Kippur should be a day of fasting for us as well.

(5) Before we go before God, we must also be led by the Spirit. (the oil). The grain offering was also mixed with oil (Nu. 29:9). This symbolized the Holy Spirit (1 Sam. 16:13). Our own will needs to be crushed before the Holy Spirit can come upon us (2 Cor. 4:8). This requires that we empty ourselves of our pride and our selfish desires. The High Priest normally dressed in a special tunic, a sash, a robe, a sacred headpiece with gold letters, and an ephod (apron) with 12 precious stones worn over the priest’s heart (Lev. 8:7-9; Ex. 28:4, 15-20, 36). Yet, to enter into the Holy of Holies, the High Priest had to humble himself of his own grandeur by wearing a plain white linen garb (Lev. 16:4). Likewise, when Christ dwelt amongst us in the flesh, He emptied Himself of grandeur (Phil. 2:5-9). Like the High Priest, the men on Yom Kippur wore a white robe called a “kittel” to humble themselves. Like the High Priests, we sometimes clothe ourselves in accomplishments that might look brilliant to those around us. But they are just “filthy rags” to God. (Is. 64:6). Thus, for our prayers before God to be Spirit led, we must leave behind our selfish desires.

(6) Our prayers should seek for the sins of others and the nation to be cast away. (the goat). After purifying the mercy seat with the bull’s blood, the High Priest then took two goats. The first was sacrificed to atone for the sins of the nation (Lev. 16:20; Nu. 29:11). The goat symbolized the devil. The first time a goat is mentioned in scripture was when Jacob uses goat skins to deceive his father (Gen. 27:16, 23). Jesus will also one day separate the goats from the lambs (Matt. 25:31-46). The atonement of sin “kaphar” can also be translated as “to cover.” It is the word used for the “pitch” that Noah used to seal the Ark (Gen. 6:14). Thus, in seeking to atone for his nation, the High Priest was limited to “covering” the people’s sins. The High Priest then transferred the sins of the nation onto the second goat and drove it away, the “scapegoat” (Lev. 16:7-8). For us, Christ did not merely cover our sins, He took them away (Jo. 1:29; Acts 3:19; 1 Jo. 2:2). According to the Midrash, to prevent the goat from returning, it was “released” over a cliff. Likewise, Christ will one day cast the devil into a pit of fire (Rev. 20:10). Our prayers for others should ask for Satan to be bound until he can be cast down.

(7) Our prayers should be in Christ’s name and in communion with His will. (the drink offering). Finally, Yom Kippur required a drink offering (Nu. 29:11). The wine symbolized the blood of Christ (Mk. 14:24; Jo. 6:53). To pray for others, our lives should always be in communion with Christ. In this context, we are reminded to dwell on His mercy. His blood was sprinkled seven times on the “mercy seat” (Lev. 16:15). It was not the “entitlement seat.” In Christ’s name, we pray for His mercy for others. When we pray in faith in Christ’s name, we can successfully intercede on behalf of others. Moses, for example, successfully prayed on behalf of the Jews after they worshiped the golden calf (Ex. 32:30-35). Daniel’s prayers for others were also successful (Dan. 9:22-23). On Yom Kippur, the Jews always read from the book of Jonah. Jesus warned that the book of Jonah was the last sign a doubting people should expect to see (Matt. 12:39). In the book of Jonah, the people of Nineveh were prompted to repent, and they were saved (Jonah 3:5-10). Today, we can prompt people to repent through the power of prayer. Do we have any reason to think that God won’t respond to our prayers on behalf of the nation?

The Seven Festivals of the Messiah – Part V: Rosh HaShanah

1. Background: The First Four Feasts Foretold Past Events on the Christian Calendar.

2. Does Rosh HaShanah Foreshadow the Rapture?

3. The Final Trumpet Blast.

4. Arguments against a Relationship Between Rosh Hashanah and the Rapture